I recently read a very uplifting post in The New York Times, “Charities That Inspire Kids: Family Gateway.” I recommend reading it. The family whose experience is detailed in the article is affluent, so not all families have the means to do what they do. However, it’s a wonderful example that…

Lauren Havens in Raising a Smart Kid

Oct 4, 2015

Coloring Pages & What We’ve Been Reading

Coloring Pages

My daughter is just starting to really enjoy coloring with crayons. Since she’s just learning, though, I don’t particularly want to invest in a real coloring book (she may be more interested in ripping out…

Lauren Havens in Raising a Smart Kid

Aug 29, 2015

Play a Game and Learn Code

A coworker recently asked me about tools (books, sites, etc.) that a middle schooler might use to learn things. I don’t typically work with this age group enough to have much to say, but I did recommend CodeCombat.com, which lets you learn coding in a game environment.

Lauren Havens in Raising a Smart Kid

Nov 29, 2014

Discovering Fun Gifts for the Holidays

I don’t always have time to find awesome items on my own, especially when trying to use the scarce resource of brainpower this time of year for finding gifts for friends and family. I can’t even think of what cool things there might be sometimes, so I use a few…

Lauren Havens in Raising a Smart Kid

Oct 28, 2014

EWG’s Food Scores Database

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has a new database available: Food Scores.

You can search for items or ingredients and see how EWG rates the item in terms of nutrition, ingredient concern (ex. pesticide issues), and processing (more processing can…

Lauren Havens in Raising a Smart Kid

Aug 3, 2014

Baby Smash!

Children are fascinated by computers, but their initial attempts to interact with the computer can close browser windows, delete pictures from your wedding, send draft messages you wrote in a drunken stupor to vent frustration without the intention to ever actually send, post sensitive information that…

Lauren Havens in Raising a Smart Kid

May 24, 2014

Nobel Prize Educational Games

The Nobel Prize website has some fascinating, educational games. I got a bit caught up in them and learned a little something along the way, so I recommend your taking a look, too! There are a lot more games on their website, but just a couple of them are below.

Lauren Havens in Raising a Smart Kid

Mar 16, 2014

Resource: The Toxics Release Inventory

Interested in knowing what hazardous chemicals might be in your area? Check out the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), maintained by the EPA. These chemicals affect the health of you and your family. Chemicals especially have the potential to affect the health of…

Lauren Havens in Raising a Smart Kid

Jan 8, 2014

Using Safer Household Cleaning Products

A few years ago I worked in one of the libraries at the Environmental Protection Agency (side note: they’re open to the public, so check them out, especially if you or someone you know is working on a science project). As a result of some of the things I read…